SMC plans Madrigal dinner
By KATHLEEN MILLER
News Writer
For 30 years, the Madrigal Dinners have taken place at Saint Mary's, making it a long-standing tradition for the Saint Mary's College Music Department, as well as for the community.
From Friday to Sunday, the annual Madrigal Christmas Dinners take place in Regina North Lounge, where guests can celebrate the holidays, Renaissance-style.
Nancy Menk, production coordinator of the Madrigal Dinners, describes the production as being reminiscent of the 16th century.
"[The Madrigal Dinner] is a re-creation of an English Renaissance feast," Menk said. "During the course of the dinner, there is choral and instrumental music, along with entertainment provided by jugglers, jesters, and various characters."
Throughout the dinner, there are five fanfares to begin each section of the evening's celebration, each fanfare being introduced by trumpets.
The First Fanfare welcomes the guests, while the Second Fanfare brings in the Wassail Bowl, or Christmas Punch. The Boar's Head, along with the rest of the feast, is brought in during the Third Fanfare. The Fourth Fanfare brings in the Figgy Pudding, actually a flaming cheesecake due to the negative reaction to real Figgy pudding tends to invoke. Finally, the Fifth Fanfare introduces the Entertainment.
Participants in the Madrigal Christmas Dinners include the Madrigal singers and actors, all of whom are Saint Mary's and Notre Dame students. The jugglers are Notre Dame graduates. Also, the Andrews University Early Music Ensemble participates as the instrumentalists in the production.
Meghan Harrass, a senior at Saint Mary's and one of the Madrigal singers, looks forward to participating in her first Madrigal Dinner after many weeks of practicing for the performances.
"We have been practicing ever since Fall Break and we've put a lot of work into it. It's been nice, singing traditional songs, since I'm used to singing contemporary pieces. It's really put me in the Christmas mood and has been a lot of fun," Harrass said.
Although very few changes have taken place over the years, Menk looks forward to improvements in this year's dinners.
"Our costume designer, Maggie Baker, has designed new costumes for the food servers and actors. Also, Thomas Boelman, the Set Designer, has improved the set, making many physical changes to the performance," Menk said.
Since past reactions to the Madrigal Christmas Dinners have been highly favorable, Menk said she is confident in the success of this year's production.
"The Madrigal Dinner is a well-supported tradition in our community. We sell out every year, which is why we have added a fourth performance on Sunday afternoon."
The Madrigal Christmas Dinners takes place in Regina North Lounge, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Sunday afternoon matinee takes place at 2:00 pm.
Tickets are $32.50 and are available only in advance at the Saint Mary's College Box Office, 284-4626. Tickets to attend Friday and Saturday's dinners are sold out; tickets are still available for Sunday.
All News Stories for Friday, December 6, 2002
